Patrick ALLEMAND, Socialist Party
“The candidacy of Christian ESTROSI is anything but a surprise. The warning signs were numerous, and if some did not see them, it was because they did not want to.
It is in no way a break with the system that has led Nice to decline and endemic corruption. This system, C. ESTROSI is a pure product of it, and if he is a candidate, it is because he is the only one who can save it.
Nice needs a break, and only the list I will lead will embody it. For this immense task, Nice needs a full-time mayor. In 2007, it is no longer possible to pursue a national career in government and be the mayor of a large city. The recent fiasco of C. ESTROSI’s trip to New Caledonia demonstrated that by trying to do everything, everything is done poorly.”
JEAN ICART, Divers Right
“I have committed myself to offering a serious alternative to the voters of Nice in the upcoming municipal elections.
Surrounded by a team bringing together the best skills in each area, we provide answers to the priority concerns of the people of Nice and to the essential recovery of the city.
I acknowledge Christian Estrosi’s candidacy and am pleased with the alignment of our projects for the city of Nice.
He advocates the openness that I have always practiced, My Label has always been Nice.
Bringing together all the necessary energies for a new dynamic remains, still today, my objective in my commitment to our city and its inhabitants’ future.”
Patrick Mottard, Socialist Party
“Christian Estrosi’s candidacy fits into the relentless logic of old politics. A political leader loaded with mandates and functions is once again running for a new mandate, with the essential – if not unique – objective of occupying the position and installing a system that, from the department to Nice, would stifle all democratic breathing.
As for me, a citizen-elect opposed to the professionalization of politics, loyal to Nice, I have defended the city’s interests for many years, whether in the Municipal Council or on the ground alongside the people of Nice.
It is with this legitimacy that, as a candidate for the mayor of Nice, I will present, starting November 14, a Charter outlining essential ethical principles and programmatic axes to gather a majority of people from Nice.
In order, finally, to turn the page.”
Bruno Della Sudda, Alternative
“The announcement of Estrosi’s candidacy for the municipal election in Nice is not a surprise.
The bourgeoisie of Nice has long been aware of the risk posed to them by J.Peyrat’s disastrous management: losing control of France’s 5th city.
Estrosi is first and foremost the candidate of this Nice bourgeoisie.
He is a pure product of ‘médecinisme,’ and his few formal concessions to democracy or the environment cannot disguise his project: an unshared thirst for power over the city and the agglomeration, despite some probable government-flavored alliances, and an unbridled patronage.
Let us not forget that he and his political friends approved almost all of J.Peyrat’s harmful projects, projects rejected by our city’s population.
In the face of this danger, more than ever, we need an alternative project and a gathering of the entire left for our city.”
Jean-Christophe Picard, Radical Left Party
“Without surprise, Christian Estrosi has just declared his candidacy for the mayor of Nice…
This announcement will surprise no one, because he is a career candidate! This hyper-accumulator of mandates and functions (State Secretary, President of the General Council, and Departmental President of the UMP) is, in fact, a caricature example of these political professionals who have usurped the Republic for career purposes.
The one who claimed, a few years ago, that he would never run for the mayor of Nice has visibly changed his mind… And this isn’t the first time! As President of the General Council, he had pledged to shed full light on the 750,000 FF embezzled in the Golf de Nice case… Something tells us we’ll be waiting a long time!
Nor can it be said that Christian Estrosi has particularly shone in the various responsibilities he has assumed… Under his leadership, the public funds of the General Council have mainly served the all-automobile policy, ski resorts, and his own communication. The organization of numerous free – yet taxpayer-funded – concerts and shows is certainly an easy way to become popular, but it should be recalled that a General Council President is not meant to play the roles of a Club Med G.O.! In his role as State Secretary for Overseas, his numerous blunders in New Caledonia further demonstrated his capabilities; let us hope for world peace that this Government Mr. Bean will never become Minister of Foreign Affairs!
For all these reasons, the radicals of the left believe that Nice deserves better than Christian Estrosi.”
Liberté Chérie Nice Côte d’Azur
“On Sunday, Christian Estrosi declared himself a candidate for the mayor of Nice, and all the active forces of the city must accompany him in this new challenge.
The liberal, reformist, and activist association Liberté Chérie Nice Côte d’Azur therefore offers its fullest support to Christian Estrosi, who appears to be the only candidate of rupture, the only one who has today a real vision for our city’s future.
A man of conviction and a formidable worker, he is the best representative of this new generation of political leaders that the city of Nice needs to restore an image tarnished by scandals and ‘affairs.’
The members of Liberté Chérie Nice Côte d’Azur – all from civil society – support Christian Estrosi to become the next mayor of Nice.”
Ladislas Polski, MRC
“Christian Estrosi finally admits it: he will run for mayor of Nice.
After having widely used his roles as President of the General Council and his friendship with the President of the Republic to promote himself in Nice, after deploying loyal lieutenants for the legislative and cantonal elections, after instigating ‘spontaneous’ petitions from city notables calling for his candidacy, and after the disheartening waltz of commitments from UMP municipal majority members who understand the law of the strongest and submit to it, Christian Estrosi gives us the non-scoop of his long-prepared candidacy.
A day will come when the people of Nice will tire of this right that sees their city and department only as a big cake of power to be shared.
This day might be sooner than expected.
For that day to come, however, the forces of progress must rise to the challenge: working, in France’s fifth city, in the service of the public interest and, in the fight against inequalities, ensuring that all residents of Nice, whatever their origin or social background, live well in the city they love.”
Nissa Rebela
“On Sunday, October 21, Christian Estrosi finally announced his candidacy for the Mayorship of Nice. ‘Finally,’ since the daily barking of his minions left no doubt in recent weeks.
Present at the meeting called by the current President of the General Council to ‘talk to Nice,’ thirty identitarian militants distributed warning flyers to people attending the meeting: ‘You want Estrosi? You’ll get the mosque!’ Indeed, Christian Estrosi has repeatedly expressed his support for the construction of a large mosque in Nice.
Christian Estrosi is the candidate of cronyism, clientelism, and globalism. For all these reasons, as before, the Identitarians will stand against him throughout his campaign.
We are fully aware of the potential costs of confronting so directly a personal friend of the President of the Republic with powerful networks, but we cannot fall into surrender and resignation as so many are tempted to do today.
We call on all people from Nice – patriots, identitarians, men and women of good will – to rally around Philippe Vardon, the only candidate who seems today to have both the courage and the will to challenge Christian Estrosi for Nice and its residents first.”
